State Legislators address annexation issues

Cedar Mill’s state representative Mitch
Greenlick and our state
senator Charlie Ringo, along with other House and Senate reps have introduced
several bills addressing the issues involved with cities annexing unincorporated
areas.

HB 2484 requires a double-majority vote on any annexation. This would
require approval of the annexation by a majority in the affected area as
well as a majority of city residents.

HB _____ eliminates the right of cities to veto incorporation of new
cities within three miles of their borders. As it stands, Beaverton, Hillsboro
and Portland could all veto any attempt to incorporate Cedar Mill.

Other bills being considered would eliminate the ability of cities to
force “island” annexations on residents whose unincorporated
areas are partially surrounded by city-annexed roads or other so-called “cherry
stems,” and call for more public hearings during any annexation process.

Cedar Mill ultimately must end up either as part of Beaverton or incorporated
as a separate city, because both state and county policy call for areas
within Urban Growth Boundaries (which is all of Cedar Mill) to be incorporated.
These bills ensure that the possibility exists for incorporation, and that
any annexation be carried out with the agreement of a majority of residents.
We applaud Greenlick for his quick and appropriate response to Beaverton’s
recent aggressive annexation policies. Both bills will face stiff opposition
from the League of Oregon Cities, among other groups.